Heidi Trasatti, Terry Miller, and I left Baltimore at 5:45 yesterday morning determined to find as many birds as possible in and around Ocean City/Assateague. After a few hotspots proved to be devoid of birds, we left OC early and headed to Blackwater. Highlights:
Assateague--Shell Road: Ran into Jeff Shenot and the 4 of us found the continuing Northern Saw-whet Owl, a great showing of Northern Gannets, a single flyover Snow Bunting (calling), and the best bird of the day: a single DOVEKIE flying low over the ocean, headed north, and well-viewed by all 4 of us. Having never seen one before, Heidi, Terry, and I were unsure of its ID; fortunately Jeff immediately confirmed it as a Dovekie (thanks!). Unfortunately, we were all so busy watching it and looking for field marks that it disappeared before the idea of a photo even entered our minds.
Assateague--Causeway: The usual suspects in good numbers. Lots of Brant, Northern Pintail, and American Black Ducks, as well as Hooded/Red-breasted Mergansers, Surf Scoters, and Gadwall.
OC Inlet: More usual suspects (RB Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, both loons) in good numbers, as well as a single hen Black Scoter on the close side of the south jetty. Initially the only sandpipers were 2 Ruddy Turnstones, but then a massive flock (~60) of Purple Sandpipers and more turnstones came from out of nowhere and landed right in front of us! Photography ensued.
Skimmer Island: Not a single bird on the island.
West OC Pond: Lots of Northern Shovelers and some other odds and ends.
Blackwater NWR--Wildlife Drive: 28 American White Pelicans, tons of waterfowl which frequently erupted in flight thanks to 2 Harriers and 1 Bald Eagle, and 1 Eastern Meadowlark.
Shorter's Wharf Road: No owls, just some distant geese and blackbirds.
74 species today. Good luck on the pelagic!
Tim Carney
Baltimore/Anne Arundel
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